Hormones help regulate an array of body functions such as metabolism, appetite, heart rate, sexual functions, moods, reproductive development, growth and development, and sleep cycles, to name just a few.

Hormones fluctuate naturally during puberty, pregnancy, and childbirth. But if your hormones are even slightly imbalanced outside of these normal fluctuations, this imbalance can negatively impact your health and lifestyle.

Hormonal imbalance causes and symptoms

Hormonal imbalances can happen to both men and women. They are common in women going through perimenopause, which is the time leading up to menopause, and menopause. Men may experience hormonal imbalances as well, usually when they get older. For women, the low hormone is usually estrogen or progesterone, and for men it’s testosterone.

In addition to age, other factors may contribute to hormonal imbalances. They include:

Stress

Diabetes

Underactive or overactive thyroid

Obesity

Diet

Chemotherapy

Common symptoms of hormone imbalances for women include:

Heavy or irregular periods

Hot flashes

Vaginal dryness

Weight gain

Thinning hair or hair loss

Dry skin

Unwanted hair growth on the face, neck, and chest

Mood changes

Loss of interest in sex

For men, symptoms or hormone imbalance include:

Low sperm count

Reduced sex drive

Erectile dysfunction

Reduced muscle mass

Increased growth of breast tissue

Reduced body hair growth

What are bioidentical hormones?

Treatments for hormonal imbalance can include lifestyle changes and also hormone replacement. There are two types of hormone replacement therapies: bioidentical hormone therapy and synthetic hormones, also called hormone replacement therapy, or HRT.

Bioidentical hormones are hormones made of plant-based estrogens that are the same as the hormones our body naturally produces. Many people prefer this type of hormone replacement therapy because of the natural quality.

Synthetic hormones are derived from the urine of pregnant horses. Bioidentical hormones are also a good option for people who can’t take synthetic hormones.

How can bioidentical hormones help me?

Bioidentical hormones can help both men and women with low hormone levels or hormone imbalances. By increasing or balancing hormone levels, it can reduce or eliminate problematic symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause, for women, and low testosterone for men.

Some people report that bioidentical hormones also help reduce wrinkles, improve skin quality, and reduce your risk for tooth loss and cataracts.

Both bioidentical hormones and hormone replacement therapy have risks. For certain people, such as women who have had breast, ovarian or endometrial cancers or blood clots, neither type of hormone replacement therapy is advised.

Bioidentical hormones came in patches, pills, pellets, creams, gels, and shots. The providers at The Well for Health can help you choose the best form of hormones to relieve your symptoms. They will monitor you closely to determine the best dose and the right amount of time for you to take hormones.

For more information about bio-identical hormones and if they’re right for you, call The Well for Health in Davidson, North Carolina. You can also make an appointment online through this website.

Every patient receives a free 15 to 30-minute telephone consultation with a member of the team before visiting the clinic.

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